The Truth About Clear Aligners with Dr. Marina Gonchar | Triangle Dentistry Talk Ep. 11

In the latest episode of Triangle Dentistry Talk, Dr. Carl Bernstein welcomes board-certified orthodontist Dr. Marina Gonchar to share valuable insights about clear aligners—a treatment option that has revolutionized orthodontic care in recent years. As clear aligners like Invisalign continue to grow in popularity, many patients have questions about their effectiveness, limitations, and how they compare to traditional treatment options. In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Gonchar draws from her decade of experience to provide honest, straightforward information that helps potential patients make informed decisions about their orthodontic care.

Key Insights About Clear Aligners

The Real Benefits of Clear Aligners

Dr. Gonchar outlines several advantages that make clear aligners an attractive option for many patients:

• Lifestyle Compatibility: “There is really no changes to your lifestyle. Meaning you can pretty much have your same diet, eat whatever you want. There are no changes the way you brush your teeth or take care of your teeth, because obviously you remove the aligners for that,” explains Dr. Gonchar.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Both doctors agree that the primary reason most patients choose aligners is their near-invisible appearance. As Dr. Bernstein notes, “If aligners were black or if they were a different color, I think people would be choosing braces.”
• Comfort: According to Dr. Gonchar, aligners are “a lot more comfortable and gentle on the teeth. So there is less pain.”
• Convenience: Particularly for busy adults, aligners often require fewer office visits, making them more convenient for those with demanding schedules.

Important Considerations and Limitations

The discussion also highlights several crucial factors patients should understand before choosing aligners:

• Compliance Requirements: “People don’t realize but you can’t just wear them to sleep. You have to wear them 20-22 hours per day to get the results that you want,” Dr. Gonchar emphasizes. This is perhaps the most significant challenge, as treatment success depends heavily on patient discipline.
• Speech Adjustments: Many patients experience a temporary lisp when first wearing aligners. Dr. Gonchar reassures that “as long as you practice speaking with them in 2 to 3 days, you should be able to sound completely normal.”
• Attachments Reality: Both doctors point out a common misconception: most patients don’t realize that clear aligners often require tooth-colored attachments bonded to the teeth. “I think that is the biggest misunderstanding that most people don’t know when they first come in,” shares Dr. Bernstein.
• Treatment Time: When asked if aligners work faster than braces, Dr. Gonchar explains, “If it’s a more complicated situation where even braces would take up to two years, Invisalign is not going to do it any faster.”

The Truth About At-Home Aligners

One of the most valuable segments of the conversation addresses the risks associated with direct-to-consumer aligner treatments:

“You’re really taking your risk, doing these at home aligner treatments because you don’t know the state of health of your bone, their root lines, if you have cavities,” warns Dr. Gonchar. “People end up losing teeth while doing these treatments because they had underlying conditions that were not diagnosed by a doctor.”

Dr. Bernstein adds that the absence of attachments with at-home aligners significantly reduces their effectiveness: “Attachments really are the reason that started to make it more predictable to move teeth. And that’s something that at home can’t do.”

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Treatment

The podcast concludes with important considerations about seeking care from an orthodontic specialist:

“We went to dental school like everyone else. We did four years of dental school, and then we did an additional three years of just orthodontics,” explains Dr. Gonchar, highlighting the specialized training orthodontists receive.

Dr. Bernstein points out that orthodontists can offer more comprehensive solutions: “One thing we’re able to offer…is if the teeth just don’t move as predictable as we expect…why don’t we use a little bit of braces or let’s try to attempt with some braces treatment, even for a short time.”

The conversation between Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Gonchar provides invaluable insights for anyone considering clear aligner treatment. Understanding both the benefits and limitations of this popular orthodontic option is crucial for making an informed decision about your dental health.

For those interested in learning more about clear aligners or other orthodontic treatment options, we encourage you to watch the full episode of Triangle Dentistry Talk featuring Dr. Marina Gonchar. Her expertise and candid discussion offer a deeper understanding of what to expect when straightening your teeth with clear aligners.

Ready to explore your orthodontic options? Contact Bernstein Orthodontics at (919) 233-0668 or visit bernsteinortho.com to schedule a free consultation. Your perfect smile journey begins with the right information and the right professionals to guide you.